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Ocean Biodiversity Activity Guide

Activity - Classroom

GradesK, 1, 2Science

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Provided by The Nature Conservancy
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What it is

  • This activity guide introduces young learners to ocean biodiversity and the wide variety of marine life through three at-home or classroom activities.
  • Children invent an imaginative journey through the ocean and the creatures they meet; draw and label marine animals and plants; and listen to and identify ocean sounds.

Teaching tips

Classroom Implementation:
  • The Did You Hear That? activity works well as a small-group listening station or as a whole-class relaxation activity.
  • Deep Blue Art activity can be differentiated per class period based on separate ecosystems (e.g., one period focuses on coral reef biodiversity while another does deep-sea creatures); then, students explore each other's work in a gallery walk.
Preparation:
  • Gather materials to create art posters (markers, crayons, paint, large sheets of paper).
  • Find videos to use for the listening activity, such as this one. 
Extensions:
  • Have students research one marine animal they drew and share a fact about how it depends on its habitat.
  • Use this lesson plan to explore how habitat changes can affect marine animals. 

From the scientist review

These activities may require additional resources depending on students' knowledge of ocean life.
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